And whilst on the subject of Trade Shows

After writing yesterday about Christmas comes early to us and talking a little bit about the trade shows I went to bed last night thinking about something that happened to me at the Christmas Trade fair this year that I always found a little amusing with one of our suppliers so I though I would share the Story.

We deal with quite a few suppliers who are all lovely in the there own way and we have a fantastic relationship with them.  We choose our suppliers carefully and the thing that tends to win us over is good service and more importantly quality of the products.   

Back in Jan 2010 when we went to our first big trade fair and as I explained earlier Betty was dragging me around all day and after many meetings with suppliers, placing orders drinking too much coffee and quality street (They all put little bowls of quality street on the tables and I just cant help myself) I'm generally starting to feel worn down.  When we came across a delightful trade stand, Betty's eyes lit up and in she went.

We were met by this charming gentleman who went on to show us the products in great detail. Explained the inspiration for the designs and how the company was started and where they are today.  This chap seemed to make us feel very special and the products were just fantastic Betty couldn't help herself and a very large order was placed.  The order was signed by Betty for us and Mr Graham for the supplier.  The chap advised that for all future orders we would be allocated an account manager which we have built a fantastic relationship with and the brand continues to be one of our top sellers all year round.    We have since at other trade shows always had a appointment time with them now where we meet our account manager, get a cup of coffee and they fill ME full of quality street and Betty places very large orders with them, no hassle no fuss lovely company.

This year Jan 2011 towards the end of a Sunday afternoon we arrived at the said trade stand for our 4pm appointment our account manager comes out and meets us offers us the normal coffee me and tea for the lady wife and a hand full of quality street to keep me entertained and off Betty goes on another buying spree.  Tired i decided to go and sit on a chair outside of the stand and watch the mighty Manchester United commentary on my blackberry with my coffee and leave them to it.

After about 5 or 10 Min's I was approached by this lady that was floating around she asked if I was waiting for somebody. I explained that my wife was in the trade stand buying products for this Christmas, She asked why wasn't i joining her and I went to explain that that I'm quite happy for Betty to just go forth and purchase without my input, the products and the quality is just fantastic and the brand name itself sells the products for us and I'm quite comfortable with any amount she spends.  We then went on the have a good 40 min conversation about football of all things.  The lady was very knowledgeable and after a whole day of meetings this was a breath of fresh air.  At the end she said it was a pleasure meeting me but she had to go and off into the sunset she went.

Looking at my watch and realising Betty had now been in the stand for an hour I went to find her.  Betty asked where id been and i explained about talking to this lady outside, where to my surprise our account manager said "Yes Gisela has a habit of doing that".

Even though Betty deals with them all year round I have one up her,  I've met both the owners and on both occasions had no idea who they were.  Lovely people, Lovely Brand.

Christmas comes early in our house

For years we've all heard the saying "Christmas seems to come earlier each year".  you don't know how actually true that is for us.

We start buying products for Bill and Betty in January.  Going to the trade fairs in January is like being in Santa's grotto but on speed.  Just as we've packed up our own decorations and put them away for the following year "Betty" my wife is already starting to talk about the Trade show ready to buy stock for the business.  Then it comes,   Up at the crack of dawn on a cold Jan morning and making the drive to the trade show.  I remember the first time we went and to use that youth full word "OMG" I've never seen so many singing Santa's.  Its at the point in the year when you want to forget about Christmas pay the credit cards and start looking forward to spring and we find ourselves still knee deep in Ding Dong Merrily on High.

Betty is like a kid in a sweetie shop,  Note pad and pen in hand shes off - big smile on her face singing Christmas songs with me in tow.  Couple of hours into this buying spree I'm normally onto my 3rd Costa coffee and starting to give that snowman that bursts into song every time I walk past it the evil eye.  Betty is just getting into her stride still singing and buying up stock.   

Moving into September this stock starts to come in Betty is back in her element photographing, stock taking and getting ready to put on the website.  Shes always so excited when a new order gets delivered that she nearly invites the whole family round to open it and look at its inside delights.  And there it is .   "The singing snowman"   its September I sob and go back to giving him the evil eye 3 months early.

This brings me to today.  Betty is putting a Christmas tree up at home to hang some decorations on it to photograph them and organise some collections which we have pre-orders for.   The kids are going to be in for a right shock when they get home for school all the while we in the middle of late heat wave.

I have to admit that the Christmas decorations that we are selling this year are outstanding and do look fantastic again Betty has done an outstanding job buying this year.

So when people say Christmas seems to come earlier each year spare a thought for "Bill" who is currently sat in a pair of shorts in 25 degree heat while the sun is cracking pavement watching Betty put up a Christmas tree in September..   

BUY EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS , hope you enjoy this years collection and be sure to keep checking back as more stock comes in

Foot note  theres a "Moose Loose about this Huse"

I learn as i go along

Finally got round to adding a proper BLOG to the website, Theres so much to do with building and running and constantly promoting a E-Commerce Website.  Blogging seems to be the next thing to add in.   Its not easy always seems to be so many other things to be getting on with.  But hopefully we will be able to blog a couple of times week,  Sit down and write a few things about what we Bill & Betty have been upto both inside and outside of work.

Running and and maintining a E-Commerce Website is amazing and i'm not trained hence "I Learn as I go along" method.

 I kind of have 2 methods to everything I do with the website.

• 1.    Try myself.    If this works then yippe and few pennies saved
• 2.    When method 1 fails then Pay somebody else to do if for me.

I'm no webmaster everything I've done with computers websites has been self taught.  I guess I'm kinda lucky that I actually have a (According to my wife) GEEKY interest in these things so sitting down and to use a technical term "Mucking around with it" till it works actually gives me a feeling of self satisfaction - A pat on the back to me.  It doesn't always work that's when its time to call in an expert and hand over my credit card and consider myself saved at a cost.

This website has been up and running now since early March 2011, and the success has been fantastic and we are really proud of it and the products that we sell. We get so much good feedback from our customers it makes all the tears and many evenings sat up till the wee hours screaming at the PC so worthwhile.

Also along the way we've met some really help full people who offer advise and have bent over backwards to ensure everything runs smoothly.    Theres a great feeling in doing something for yourself but sometimes you have just have to ask for help.

Karl (Bill)